I don't get it...is this just ANOTHER release of Sympathetink by Mathieu Bich? This is the third or fourth item since Mathieu released the idea of frixion pens for Magic effects. It says it is 'A new secret weapon in Magic'...

http://www.hocus-pocus.com/magicshop/inc......tem=9108

Do you like visual magic? Welcome to magic's newest secret weapon!

In the world of magic, new multi-dimensional secret weapons are a hard thing to come by.....UNTIL NOW! With magic's newest jaw-dropping piece of technology, you will be able to assassinate your audience, leaving them mentally destroyed.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to assassinate your audience employing this latest piece of technology. You will need the following apparatus to complete your mission.
Your secret weapon.
32 page Operations Manual full of various ideas, tactics, and explanations using your new weapon of mental destruction.
Your target audience
Once you read the Operations Manual and will be equipped with all the knowledge required to carry out your mission successfully. There is no need for extensive training. This apparatus requires little skill to use effectively. It is simple to master, yet the possibilities are only limited to your imagination!

Begin your mission now!

Sure looks that way to me Chris... But to paraphrase you about Matrix... No, they say its new... So it cant be the old method...Snicker.... Hehehehe....

Ha ha ha... another one of these.

This does look exactly like Sympathetink, and the only difference I noticed between this and a frixion pen is that in one part a playing card is marked, though that's not normally possible.

I think it is a different color pen

Then this must be new!!!

Haha, I only say that about the Matrix as A) It was listed as that, and B) Having seen a lot of Michaels creations, he seems very creative. I live in hope about the Matrix

Nah, I think they are cheating on this .

Looks the same just different ideas, that's it.

Well regardless of the effect and how new it is I am already put off by the advertising for this one. We have moved on now in the great world of magic from "frying" or "killing" our audience ( instead of entertaining them) to "assassinating" and "mentally destroying" them.

Adverts like this seem to assume that magicians are psychotic lunatics who care more for geting one over on the spectator than generating a sense of wonder....thats not true...is it ?

It just looks like vanishing ink, which is hardly new. Invisible Ink has been around for decades too, and appears by applying heat. Will this also "destroy" audiences?
Actually, I think the effect is cute, and with good routining, could be very effective. However, I wouldn't consider it very magical, more like a surprising visual to add to an already solid routine.

Exactly Potty, and nothing new, it has already been released.

If my memory serves me correctly, a very popular Japanese magician Mr. Maric; I watched in the Japanese television which aired publictly, he floored the whole audience as well as magicians the ink which previously written on a piece of white card and when the card is heated up, the ink disappear leaving the message (prediction) sticked on that card.

No doubt, it's one of the strongest magic effect.

As a matter of fact whether the idea is new or not new, I have no much comment on this but I guess this plot has been quite a while in the market.

Andrew Loh

Andrew,

Thank you very much for the insight. Yes, the pen is not new to magic, but the manuscript is. I have included with InKa a manuscript which has MANY different applications for the pen. There's stuff for everyone in the manuscript (mentalists, street magicians, card guys, etc). There are many different routines (scripts included) that I included with this pen.

Yes, I have purchased and read SympathetInk by Mr. Bich. I have never claimed to "invent" this at all. In fact, this pen has ben around longer and brought to the magic community by a performer BEFORE Mr. Bich released it. Alas, my manuscript covers entirely different routines than what is published in his manuscript. I feel I cover much more about the pen, and offer MUCH MORe easier routines that do not involve lots of prep work. It's just my take on it. I felt a complete work on the pen should be available for magicians, and I have created that. I like to think of it as everything A-Z.

There is also a section in there (which I wrote) about creativity. Of course the routines are a guideline, but I encourage performers to think of their own uses for the pen. It is a great tool, and anyone who likes HIGHLY VISUAL magic should have one.

If anyone has any questions regarding this item, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Robert Haas

"Inka dinka, bottle of stinka"...

Whether this has been done before is the least of my concerns honestly. If I like a product, I like a product, simple as that. At $25 I'm not going to split hairs. In any case, with what I'm seeing Sympathetink does not allow you too write on playing cards where this does is that correct?

My only question for you Mr. Haas is; the degree to which the ink vanishes away. Is it just under extreme heat like a lighter (in which case I'm kind of hoping it does), or will body heat from hands, and natural friction after a period of time affect it? For example, If I were to write something on a business card with this product and place it with other business cards in my wallet, would the naturally heat make the ink go away? Or would I have to apply extreme heat?

Thanks,

Ron

Thank you for your question Ron. In order for the ink to vanish, it needs direct heat. Friction from rubbing your hands or proximity to other objects would not be enough to vanish the ink. Simply sticking it your wallet or body heat WILL NOT cause the ink to disappear. If there is no extreme heat, the ink will remain in tact until extreme heat is applied. for instnce, a lighter or HOT HOT cup of coffee would work (or steam from the coffee)

The pen supplied with Inka will allow you to write on a playing card. I have a great routine for it in the manuscript I provide. I use it as a finale to my ambitious card (using an "if I can go back in time 30 seconds, etc...).

The manuscript is filled with patter suggestions, routine ideas, etc. I have read Mr. Bich's book and thought it lacked in some areas. It is great for what it is worth, but I feel my routines go into greater detail and are way more effective. I don't want this to turn into a sals pitch, so if anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask

I'm always here to help.

Robert Haas

Thanks for the reply Robert. Like all pens, eventually the ink will be used up. Whats the expected life on this product?

Ron

Ron,

I've used the same pen for over a year. It has been with me during every performance, and I even use the same pen to demo while at conventions. It is still running strong.

Honestly, it will last a long long time.

Robert Haas

Sounds great Robert, Iv'e already placed my order amongst several others. I have a very interesting routine that utilizes this pen so I'm curious how it will play out. It is similar to Card at Any Number plot but mildy different. And I don't own the effect, but I beleive it is also similar to Influence 2 by Larry Becker. It just sounds similar and both use a combonation of business cards and playing cards. Looking foward to recieving it and seeing other ideas for the product.

Thanks,

Ron

Ron,

Awesome. Please let me know what you think of the manuscript. Lots of ideas and well thought out routines are included.

May I ask where you purchased the pen from? Just curious.

Robert Haas

This might be a stupid question but, instead of using the lighter would the heat of your breath work instead?

Nikstokes- No that is a *** good question and I would be curious to know as well!
However the steam from a hot cup of coffee seems to provide an ingenious solution. One might simply rest a 'chosen' card on the rim of the cup in full view for a while.

Andy.